U.S. patent number 6,283,947 [Application Number 09/352,628] was granted by the patent office on 2001-09-04 for local drug delivery injection catheter.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.. Invention is credited to Daryush Mirzaee.
United States Patent |
6,283,947 |
Mirzaee |
September 4, 2001 |
Local drug delivery injection catheter
Abstract
A catheter for injecting medication to a specific point within a
patient comprises a drug delivery lumen extending from a proximal
end of the catheter to an injection port. The catheter comprises a
mechanism for angularly pushing the injection port outwardly away
from the body of the catheter into an artery wall so that
medication can be injected directly into the artery wall.
Inventors: |
Mirzaee; Daryush (Sunnyvale,
CA) |
Assignee: |
Advanced Cardiovascular Systems,
Inc. (Santa Clara, CA)
|
Family
ID: |
23385868 |
Appl.
No.: |
09/352,628 |
Filed: |
July 13, 1999 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
604/264;
604/103.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M
25/0084 (20130101); A61M 25/10 (20130101); A61M
2025/0004 (20130101); A61M 2025/0086 (20130101); A61M
2025/0087 (20130101); A61M 2025/0096 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61M
25/10 (20060101); A61M 5/32 (20060101); A61M
25/00 (20060101); A61M 025/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;604/96,192,194,523,264,103.01,103.02,104-109,500,506,508,509 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Kennedy; Sharon
Assistant Examiner: Lam; Ann Y.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Skjerven Morrill MacPherson LLP
Lopez; Theodore P.
Claims
I claim:
1. A catheter for delivering a drug to a location within a patient,
comprising:
a first tube;
a second tube extending from a proximal end to a distal end along
an axis;
a first lumen provided in said first tube for receiving said drug,
said first lumen extending from the proximal end of said first tube
to an injection port;
a preferential bending point on said first tube;
a balloon lumen provided in said second tube; and
a balloon coupled to the balloon lumen such that inflation of the
balloon bends the first tube at the preferential bending point,
thereby angularly pushing said injection port away from the axis of
the second tube to change an angle formed between said injection
port and said axis of the second tube.
2. Catheter of claim 1 wherein said injection port comprises a
needle.
3. Catheter of claim 1 wherein said injection port is
radiopaque.
4. Catheter of claim 1 wherein a radiopaque marker is provided on
said balloon.
5. Catheter of claim 1 wherein a radiopaque marker is formed on
said catheter proximate to said balloon.
6. Catheter of claim 1 wherein a radiopaque marker is provided on
said first tube at said preferential bending point where said
injection port bends away from said axis of said second tube.
7. Catheter of claim 1 further comprising a stiffening mandrel
extending through said first lumen.
8. Catheter of claim 1 further comprising a stiffening mandrel
extending along the exterior of said first tube.
9. Catheter of claim 1 wherein said balloon is a helical-shaped
balloon.
10. Catheter of claim 1 wherein said balloon has wide and narrow
regions to permit blood to perfuse past said balloon when said
balloon is inflated.
11. Catheter of claim 1, further comprising a guide wire lumen
having an axis parallel to the axis of the second tube.
12. A catheter for delivering a drug to a location within a patient
comprising:
a first tube;
a second tube extending from a proximal end to a distal end along
an axis;
a first lumen provided in said first tube for receiving said drug,
said first lumen extending from the proximal end of said first tube
to an injection port;
a preferential bending point on said first tube;
a balloon lumen provided in said second tube; and
a balloon coupled to the balloon lumen such that inflation of the
balloon bends the first tube at the preferential bending point,
thereby rotating said injection port away from the axis of the
second tube.
13. Catheter of claim 12, further comprising a guide wire lumen
having an axis parallel to the axis of the second tube.
14. Method for delivering medication to a patient comprising the
steps of:
inserting a catheter into a patient, said catheter comprising a
catheter body, a drug delivery lumen within the catheter body, and
an injection port in communication with said drug delivery
lumen;
inflating a balloon to angularly push the injection port away from
the catheter axis toward or into the patient's artery wall by
bending said drug delivery lumen at a preferential bending point;
and
injecting medication into the patient through the drug delivery
lumen and said injection port.
15. Method of claim 14 wherein said injection port is a needle.
16. Method of claim 14 further comprising the steps of:
moving said injection port toward an angle parallel with the axis
of said catheter after said step of injecting; and
retracting said catheter.
17. A catheter for delivering a drug to a location within a
patient, comprising:
a guide wire lumen;
a tube extending from a proximal end to a distal end along an axis
of said guide wire lumen and having a first lumen for receiving
said drug, said first lumen extending from the proximal end of said
tube to an injection port;
a preferential bending point on said tube; and
a balloon for angularly pushing said injection port away from the
axis of the guide wire lumen by bending said tube at said
preferential bending point, thereby changing an angle formed
between said injection port and said axis of the guide wire
lumen;
said injection port being coupled to said tube at said preferential
bending point.
18. Catheter of claim 17 wherein said injection port comprises a
needle.
19. Catheter of claim 17 further comprising a stiffening mandrel
extending through said tube.
20. Catheter of claim 17 wherein a stiffening mandrel extends along
an exterior of said tube.
21. A catheter for delivering a drug to a location within a
patient, comprising:
a guide wire lumen;
a tube extending from a proximal end to a distal end along an axis
of said guide wire lumen and having a first lumen for receiving
said drug, said first lumen extending from the proximal end of said
tube to an injection port;
a preferential bending point on said tube; and
an inflatable balloon for rotating said injection port away from
the axis of the guide wire lumen by bending said tube at said
preferential bending point;
said injection port being coupled to said tube at said preferential
bending point.
22. Catheter of claim 21 wherein said injection port comprises a
needle.
23. Catheter of claim 21 further comprising a stiffening mandrel
extending through said tube.
24. Catheter of claim 21 wherein a stiffening mandrel extends along
an exterior of said tube.
25. Method for delivering medication to a patient comprising the
steps of:
inserting a catheter into a patient, said catheter comprising a
catheter body, a guide wire lumen having an axis, a tube, a drug
delivery lumen within the tube, and an injection port in
communication with said drug delivery lumen;
angularly extending the injection port away from the axis of the
guide wire lumen toward or into the patient's artery wall by
inflating a balloon to bend said tube at a preferential bending
point, said injection port being attached to said tube at said
preferential bending point, to change an angle formed between said
injection port and said axis of the guide wire lumen; and
injecting medication into the patient through the drug delivery
lumen and said injection port.
26. Method of claim 25 wherein said injection port comprises a
needle.
27. Method of claim 25, further comprising the steps of:
moving said injection port toward an angle parallel with said axis
of the guide wire lumen after said step of injecting; and
retracting said catheter.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention pertains to a catheter for delivering a drug to a
specific location within a patient's artery.
It is known in the art to provide catheters for delivering drugs
directly into the walls of a patient's artery. An example of such a
catheter is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,746,716, issued to Vigil
et al. Vigil's catheter 1 includes a set of injectors 2 for
injecting medication into an artery wall 3 (FIG. 1). Injectors 2
are mounted on a balloon 4 which is inflated when it is desired to
push injectors 2 into artery wall 3. Unfortunately, injectors 2
extend in a direction perpendicular to the axis of catheter 1.
Thus, when catheter 1 is inserted or withdrawn from the patient's
vascular system, there is a danger that injectors 2 will drag along
and injure artery wall 3.
What is needed is an improved catheter which permits delivery of a
drug into the walls of an artery where the drug is believed to be
most effective.
What is also needed is a catheter with injectors which will not
drag across the artery walls when the catheter is inserted or
withdrawn from a patient.
SUMMARY
A catheter in accordance with an embodiment of the invention
comprises an injection port at or near the distal end thereof and a
mechanism for directing the injection port angularly away from the
central axis of the catheter and into the artery wall. (An
injection port is a structure used for introducing medication or
other material into a patient. The injection port typically is a
hollow needle.) In one embodiment, the catheter includes a guide
wire lumen for receiving a guide wire that enables a physician to
direct the catheter to a desired location within the patient's
vascular system. Also, in one embodiment, the catheter includes a
plurality of needles, each of which may be manipulated at an angle
outwardly from the central longitudinal axis of the catheter so
that the needles can inject a drug or medication into the
surrounding tissue. Prior to deployment of the needles, the needles
are retained such that they lie substantially parallel to the
longitudinal axis of the catheter.
In one embodiment, a balloon is provided towards the distal end of
the catheter for pushing the needles outwardly into the artery
wall. In another embodiment, other mechanical means are provided
for pushing the needles outwardly.
These and other features of the invention are described below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art catheter for injecting medication
into a patient's artery walls.
FIG. 2 illustrates in cross section a catheter constructed in
accordance with the invention comprising needles for injecting
medication into an artery wall.
FIG. 3 illustrates in cross section the catheter of FIG. 2 in which
the needles are extended outwardly for injecting medication into
the artery wall.
FIG. 3' illustrates an enlarged portion of the catheter of FIG.
3.
FIG. 3A illustrates in cross section the catheter of FIGS. 2 and 3
along lines A--A.
FIG. 3B illustrates in cross section an alternative embodiment of a
catheter along lines A--A in which a stiffening mandrel is provided
external to two of the catheter tubes.
FIG. 3C illustrates a cut formed in a tube to accommodate placement
of a needle.
FIG. 3D illustrates another cut formed in a tube to accommodate
placement of a needle.
FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of a catheter including a
balloon for pushing needles from the catheter outwardly into the
artery wall.
FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C illustrate in cross section the catheter of
FIG. 4 along lines A--A, B--B and C--C, respectively.
FIG. 4D illustrates in cross section an alternative balloon used in
conjunction with another embodiment of a catheter in accordance
with the invention.
FIG. 4E illustrates another embodiment of a catheter including a
balloon for pushing needles from the catheter outwardly into the
artery wall.
FIG. 5 illustrates in cross section a modified embodiment of the
catheter of FIG. 4 including a short balloon length with a steep
proximal balloon wall.
FIG. 6 illustrates the distal end of a catheter including a helical
balloon in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 7 illustrates a catheter in accordance with the invention in
conjunction with a sheath.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 3', a catheter 10 in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention includes a proximal end 10p, a distal
end 10d and a centrally located guide wire tube 29 having a lumen
12 for receiving a guide wire 14. Thus, prior to use, an attending
physician can route guide wire 14 into the patient and insert
catheter 10 over the guide wire to a desired location within the
patient's vascular system. Once catheter 10 is in place, guide wire
14 extends through lumen 12 and out of a guide wire control port
16.
Also within catheter 10 is a drug delivery port 18 for receiving a
drug to be injected into the patient. Drug delivery port 18 is
connected to a drug delivery lumens 22a, 22b. (In one embodiment,
not shown, lumens 22a and 22b can merge into a single lumen
concentrically surrounding guide wire tube 29.)
Although FIGS. 2, 3, and 3' illustrate two lumens 22a, 22b, other
numbers of lumens for delivering drugs can also be used, e.g.,
between two and four lumens. However, the invention is not limited
by the exact number of drug delivery lumens 22.
A shrink tube 24 approximately 1 to 6 cm from distal end 10d of
catheter 10 binds tubes 27a, 27b (surrounding lumens 22a, 22b)
together. Shrink tube 24 is affixed to tube 27a, 27b, but surrounds
and can slide along guide wire tube 29. At a distance D1 from
shrink tube 24, tubes 27a, 27b are sliced around a circumferential
portion of approximately 180.degree., and hollow needles 26a, 26b,
are inserted into lumens 22a, 22b respectively. (The slice formed
in tubes 27a and 27b can have different shapes. FIGS. 3C and 3D
illustrate two embodiments of slices 31a, 31b that can be formed in
tubes 27a and 27b to accommodate needle placement. The slices 31a,
31b help create a preferential bending position for tubes 27a and
27b and are sized to facilitate needle placement.) Needles 26a, 26b
can be held in place within lumens 22a, 22b, for example, by an
appropriate adhesive (e.g. cynoacrylate). Tubes 27a, 27b continue
distally of needles 26a, 26b. Tubes 27a, 27b terminate at distal
end 10d of catheter 10, and are bound together and to guide wire
tube 29 with second shrink tube 28. (Shrink tube 28 cannot move
relative to tube 29.) Needles 26a, 26b are typically located half
way between shrink tube 28 and shrink tube 24. The very ends 27a',
27b' of tubes 27a, 27b may be open or sealed.
In one embodiment, shrink tubes 24 and 28 are located at
preferential bending positions of tubes 27a and 27b. Because tubes
27a, 27b are not bound to tube 29 along the entire length of
catheter 10, this permits relative motion of portions of tubes 27a,
27b and tube 29. (As explained below, during use, moving tubes 27a
and 27b relative to tube 29 pushes needles 26 outwardly into the
artery wall or inwardly towards guide wire tube 29.) The fact that
tubes 27a, 27b are not rigidly bound to tube 29 by shrink tube 24
facilitates bending of the tubes 27a, 27b.
Referring to FIG. 3, in accordance with the first embodiment of the
invention, after catheter 10 is in its proper position within the
patient's vascular system, a physician extends needles 26a, 26b
outwardly (in directions A and B, respectively) by sliding drug
delivery port 18 in a forward direction (see arrow C) relative to
guide wire control port 16.
A portion of catheter 10 is shown in greater detail in FIG. 3'. The
movement of drug delivery port 18 relative to guide wire control
port 16 causes a first body portion of catheter 10 comprising tubes
27a and 27b to move relative to a second body portion comprising
tube 29. Portions P1, P2 and P3 of tube 27a and portions P4, P5 and
P6 of tube 27b act as hinges, permitting needles 26a, 26b to move
outwardly. In this way, needles 26a, 26b are pushed away at an
angle .alpha. from the main axis of catheter 10 and into the artery
wall of the patient.
In other words, during insertion and placement of catheter 10,
needles 26a, 26b and the portions of tubes 27a, 27b connected to
needles 26a, 26b lie substantially parallel to guide wire 14 (i.e.,
.alpha.=0.degree.). When the needles 26a, 26b are deployed,
portions P1, P2 serve as axes of rotation for the needles 26a, 26b
and the portions of tubes 27a, 27b connected to needles 26a, 26b.
Needles 26a, 26b are rotationally pushed away such that portions of
tubes 27a, 27b connected to needles 26a, 26b thus form an angle
.alpha.>0.degree.. When deployed, needles 26a, 26b extend
outwards from the main body of catheter 10 by a distance D4,
thereby contacting the artery wall.
The attending physician can then inject medication through drug
delivery lumens 22a, 22b and needles 26a, 26b into the wall of the
patient's artery. Such medication can be, for example, an
anti-inflammatory, anti-restenotic, or anti-thrombotic medication.
Thereafter, the physician can retract needles 26 in directions D
and E by pulling drug delivery port 18 in a direction F relative to
guide wire control port 16. Catheter 10 can then be retracted from
the patient.
In one embodiment, needles 26a, 26b are stainless steel, have an
inner diameter of 0.002" to 0.010" and an outer diameter of 0.005"
to 0.014", extend a distance D2 (FIG. 3) of 1 to 3 mm outside of
tubes 27a, 27b, and have a total length of 3 to 8 mm. However,
other needle sizes can also be used. Catheter 10 can be designed
such that distance D4 is customized to facilitate better deployment
into different size arteries, e.g. coronary or peripheral. Needles
26a, 26b can be blunt, as shown in FIG. 3, or sharp.
The distance D3 (FIG. 2) between shrink tube 24 and the point where
needles 26a, 26b exit from tubes 27a, 27b is between 2 to 10 mm.
Distances D2 (FIG. 3) and D3 (FIG. 2) are chosen based on the
caliber of the artery in which catheter 10 is to be used. The
greater the artery caliber, the greater the total distance D2 plus
D3. This is done to ensure that needles 26 reach the artery wall
when they are outwardly extended.
In one embodiment, a catheter in accordance with the invention can
be the length L1 (FIG. 2) of conventional balloon dilatation
catheters, e.g., 40 to 200 cm. The sliding portion of catheter 10
can have a distance L2 (FIG. 2) between 35 and 195 cm. Shrink tube
28 can be a distance D4 (FIG. 2) between 2 and 30 mm from the
distal end of catheter 10. However, other lengths and distances can
also be used.
Stiffening mandrels 30a, 30b can be provided within lumens 22a, 22b
of tubes 27a, 27b as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 3', 3A and 3B. In one
embodiment, the distal ends of mandrels 30a, 30b (e.g. the distal 1
to 20 mm) can be flatter than the proximal ends of mandrels 30a,
30b. Optionally, notches can be formed in stiffening mandrels 30a
and 30b to facilitate preferential bending at the location of the
notches. In another embodiment, the mandrels are a shape memory
alloy such as nitinol having a preferential bend formed therein. In
lieu of placing mandrels 30a, 30b within lumens 22a, 22b,
stiffening mandrels 30a, 30b can be affixed to the exterior of
tubes 27a, 27b as shown in FIG. 3B.
The mandrels are typically 0.003" to 008" wide. If the mandrels are
not within lumens 22a and 22b those lumens are typically 0.006" to
0.016" wide (i.e. an inner diameter of 0.006" to 0.016"). If the
mandrels are within lumens 22a and 22b, lumens 22a and 22b are
typically 0.009" to 0.020" wide.
Guide wire lumen 12 is typically about 0.010" to 0.040" wide
depending upon where the catheter is to be used. For coronary
artery applications, lumen 12 is about 0.012" to 0.018" wide. For
peripheral arteries, lumen 12 can be as wide as 0.040".
FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention in
which a catheter 10' includes a balloon 32 coupled to a balloon
inflation lumen 34. Balloon 32 can be constructed in the same
manner as a PTCA (percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty)
balloon. Alternatively, balloon 32 can be doughnut shaped.
Operation of catheter 10' is similar to that of catheter 10 shown
in FIGS. 2 and 3. A physician first inserts guide wire 14 into the
patient, and then advances catheter 10' over guide wire 14 until
hollow needles 26a, 26b are at an appropriate location. When it is
desired to insert needles 26a, 26b into the patient's artery wall,
a physician injects inflation fluid through a balloon inflation
port 35 at the proximal end 10p' of catheter 10' through balloon
inflation lumen 34 into balloon 32. Balloon 32 then expands and
pushes needles 26a, 26b outwardly into the artery wall. In other
words, needles 26a, 26b are rotated outwardly away from the
longitudinal axis of catheter 10' (Arrow AC in FIG. 4 is parallel
to the longitudinal catheter axis. Arrow AN is the longitudinal
needle axis.) During this process, the points adjacent where tube
27a, 27b contact shrink tube 24 act as a hinge. Drugs can then be
injected through drug delivery port 18, single drug delivery lumen
20, lumens 22a, 22b and needles 26a, 26b. Thereafter, needles 26a,
26b are retracted by deflating balloon 32 (i.e., by withdrawing
inflation fluid from balloon 32 via balloon inflation lumen 34 and
balloon inflation port 35). Catheter 10' is then withdrawn from the
patient. Balloon 32 is typically affixed to tubes 27a, 27b at
points 32a, 32b with an adhesive such as epoxy. (Alternatively,
balloon 32 can be affixed to tubes 27a, 27b by other methods, such
as welding.) Thus, when balloon 32 is deflated and contracts, it
rotationally pulls needles 26 inwardly and substantially parallel
to the longitudinal catheter axis AC so that needles 26 will not
drag along the artery wall when the catheter 10' is retracted. (In
other words, the longitudinal needle axes AN are rotated to be
substantially parallel to the longitudinal catheter axis AC.)
Although not shown in FIG. 4, tubes 27a, 27b can include mandrels
30a, 30b to enhance their stiffness, as described above with
respect to FIGS. 2, 3, 3A, and 3B.
Balloon 32 can be shaped like a conventional dilatation catheter
balloon (e.g. the same length and profile). Alternatively, balloon
32 may be shorter than a conventional dilatation catheter. In one
embodiment, balloon 32 has a length L3 between 3 and 10 mm.
As can be seen, in the embodiment of FIG. 4, the proximal portion
10p' of catheter 10' includes a single drug delivery lumen 20 which
divides into two (or more) lumens 22a, 22b. In the embodiment shown
in FIG. 4E, the distal end 10d' of catheter 10' which includes
shrink tube 28 (as shown in FIG. 4), is not included.
FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C illustrate in cross section portions of
catheter 10' along lines A--A, B--B, and C--C, respectively. FIG.
4A shows single drug delivery lumen 20, balloon inflation lumen 34,
guide wire lumen 12, and guide wire 14. FIG. 4B shows a cross
sectional portion of catheter 10' after single drug delivery lumen
20 has divided into two drug delivery lumens 22a, 22b surrounded by
tubes 27a, 27b. Finally, FIG. 4C illustrates a cross-sectional view
of catheter 10' along line C--C, with inflated balloon 32 pushing
tubes 27a, 27b in an angle away from the longitudinal axis of
catheter 10'. While FIGS. 4, 4A, 4B, and 4C illustrate a single
drug delivery lumens 20, in other embodiments a single drug
delivery lumens 20 is not used, and lumens 22a, 22b extend to drug
delivery port 18.
As with the embodiment of FIG. 3, the length of the portion of
tubes 27a, 27b distal to shrink tube 24 can vary. In one
embodiment, when needles 26a, 26b are in their extended position,
they only extend a short distance past the top of balloon 32. In
other embodiments, needles 26a, 26b can extend a longer distance
past the top of balloon 32.
FIG. 5 illustrates a catheter similar to that of FIG. 4 except that
a balloon 32 has a short length. When balloon 32 is inflated,
proximal end 32' of balloon 32 forms a steep step. Needles 26a, 26b
extend only a very short distance beyond surface 32" of balloon 32,
and are deployed at a near-perpendicular angle with respect to the
longitudinal catheter axis in FIG. 5. However, when balloon 32 is
deflated, needles 26a, 26b are brought to an angle parallel or
substantially parallel to the longitudinal catheter axis.
In FIGS. 4, 4E, and 5, balloon 32 is substantially cylindrical.
However, FIG. 4D illustrates in cross section along lines C--C an
embodiment of a catheter comprising a balloon 33 which, when
inflated, has a clover-like cross section including large wide
sections 33a and narrow sections 33b. Narrow sections 33b
advantageously permit blood to perfuse past balloon 33 when the
catheter is being used and balloon 33 is inflated.
FIG. 4D shows four tubes 27 instead of two tubes 27a, 27b. However,
as mentioned above, different numbers of tubes 27 can be used.
In lieu of the balloon shapes shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 4D, a
helical balloon 35 as shown in FIG. 6 can be employed. The helical
shape of balloon 35 facilitates blood perfusion past balloon 35
during use.
In the above embodiments, the catheter in accordance with the
present invention may be used in conjunction with a thin
cylindrical sheath 40. FIG. 7 shows catheter 10 of FIG. 2 used in
conjunction with a sheath 40 that may be used to surround a portion
of catheter 10 to cover needles 26a, 26b (and balloon 32, 33, or
36, in the case of an embodiment including a balloon 32, 33, or
36). Sheath 40 keeps needles 26a, 26b close to the catheter body,
thereby ensuring a low profile, and ensuring that needles 26a, 26b
stay aligned with the longitudinal axis of catheter 10. When
catheter 10 is inserted into the patient's blood vessel at the
desired position, sheath 40 extends proximally out of the patient's
blood vessel so that the physician can manipulate the sheath 40. A
sheath removal handle 42 is affixed to the proximal end of sheath
40. Sheath 40 may be pulled back once the catheter 10 is at a
desired position before extending needles 26a, 26b and delivering
the drug or medication. After use, sheath 40 can be advanced in the
distal direction to again cover needles 26a, 26b prior to
retracting the catheter 10.
In the above-described embodiments, various structures in the
catheter 10 can be formed from radiopaque materials so that the
position of catheter 10 may be easily observed during use. For
example, the needles 26a, 26b may be radiopaque. This can be
accomplished, e.g., by plating needles 26a, 26b with or
constructing needles 26a, 26b from a radiopaque material such as
titanium or tungsten. Alternatively, radiopaque materials may be
placed on the catheter near needles 26a, 26b or preferential
bending points P1 to P6. Alternatively, radiopaque materials may be
placed on the balloon 32, 33, 36.
The above-described embodiment incorporates shrink tubing, e.g.,
shrink tubes 24 and 28, to hold various tubes of the catheter 10
together. In lieu of, or in addition to such shrink tubing, the
various catheter tubes can be held together by other means, e.g.,
adhesive heat fusing. Alternatively, the tubes can be coextruded
together and then separated by cutting at those locations where the
tubes must be permitted to slide relative to one another.
A catheter 10 in accordance with the invention has numerous
advantages:
1) The catheter 10 permits blood perfusion (i.e. blood flow around
the catheter 10), enabling the catheter 10 to remain within the
blood vessel for as long as deemed necessary by the attending
physician. This is because the catheter 10 does not block the
entire artery lumen even when needles 26a, 26b are extended
outwardly.
2) The catheter 10 is typically very flexible, permitting access to
distal, tortuous arteries. The reason for this is that the stiff
portion of the catheter 10 (the portion of the length along which
needles 26a, 26b extend) is very small.
3) While the catheter is being positioned, needles 26a, 26b lie in
the axial direction of catheter 10 substantially parallel to the
longitudinal axis AC of catheter 10, thereby minimizing the profile
of the catheter 10 and minimizing the chance of injury to the
artery.
While the invention has been described with regard to specific
embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes
can be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit
and scope of the invention. For example, the material from which
the catheter is made can be any extruded polymer or metal,
including shape memory metals or a combination thereof. Also,
although the embodiments of FIGS. 2 to 7 contain a guide wire lumen
12, and are used in conjunction with a guide wire 14, other
embodiments are not used in conjunction with a guide wire 14. In
alternative embodiments, a guide wire 14 is not used, and the space
which would otherwise be occupied by guide wire lumen 12 is
sealed.
In yet another embodiment, guide wire lumen 12 does not extend the
entire length of catheter 10. Instead, guide wire lumen 12
terminates between 1 and 35 cm from distal end 10d of catheter 10,
and guide wire 14 extends through only the distal 1 to 35 cm of
catheter 10. This facilitates rapid exchange of catheter 10 over
guide wire 14.
In yet another embodiment, the catheter can contain other lumens
for performing other functions. For example, one can place balloons
proximal to shrink tube 24 and distal to shrink tube 28 to prevent
medication from diffusing away from the injection site.
Needles 26a, 26b can extend greater or lesser distances D2 past
tubes 27a, 27b. Also, in some embodiments, tubes 27a, 27b and
needles 26a, 26b can be extended at angles closer to or further
from right angles than illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 6. The angle at
which tubes 27a, 27b and needles 26a, 26b are extended is typically
between 45 and 100.degree..
In some embodiments, the catheter is used in vessels other than
arteries. Accordingly, all such changes come within the
invention.
* * * * *